The Tenets of the Mazdayasni Zarathushtri religion, as believed in by thousands of faithful Parsis/Irani Zoroastrians.
Standing up for our Glorious religion on the internet since the mid 1990s.
The complete tenets and many articles are on http://tenets.parsizoroastrianism.com

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it is a pleasure to send this email today on this lovely Khordad Sal day when hundreds of years ago our revered Prophet Zarathushtra Spitaman was born.

Khordad Sal - what a day in the Zarathushti calendar!!!

It is none other than the Birthday of our beloved Vakshure Vakshuran Paigambar Asho ZARATHUSHTRA Saheb. Yet Zarathushtra Saheb was not an ordinary man, He is himself regarded as equal to an Ahmeshashpand, with all their Splendour and Majesty and Power.

Let us travel hundreds of years ago to ancient Iran in the times of King Kai Lohrashp. Everywhere there was rampant evil. And the evil in those days was of monstrous proportions. The evil men would spoil the Yasna ceremonies, pollute the earth with their evil chants and would create havoc in Nature by literarily moving mountains and rivers and other creations of Ahura Mazda to further their nefarious activities. One righteous warrior after other valiantly attempted to stem this evil tide, but the dark forces got stronger and stronger.

There were plans in Nature to user a Soul, a Paigambar, who would check these demons and give mankind a Law to fight them. The Divine Plan was also to strengthen and re-establish the Mazdayasni religion that was prevalent at that time.

Asho Zarathushtra was born on Khordad Sal day to carry out this mission. It is said that the whole of Nature was joyous at this Phenomenon. The trees and the rivers and the mighty planets in the skies all rejoiced at the birth of this Saviour of mankind.

Asho Zarathushtra Saheb brought the demonic and evil forces under control and give the Mazdayasnis the Vi-devo-dat (the Laws to bring the demons under control), also called the Vendidad, which is applicable in all ages and at all times, even today.

Paigambar Zarathushtra not only gave us the Gathas, but also other Scriptures and prayers like the Yashts. He taught us not only to live by the Holy triad of Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds, but also to have faith in all our Scriptures, our ceremonies and our tariquats and rituals.

On this day of Khordad Sal, let us walk in the Path shown by our Paigambar Saheb and be good Zarathushtis.

I share a snippet of a song in honour of Zarathushtra Saheb, entitled "Koi puche mane kya che tara Zarathosht Paigambar". It is in MP3 (which can be copied into your cellphones or i-Pods) and play and remember Him daily.

thanks for sharing a very knowledge-filled posting on the cow, in whose family falls our much revered Varasjaji, without which our Zoroastrian religious ceremonies cannot just be performed.

What noble creatures are the cow and Varasyaji.

I liked the article very much, it gives insights into the importance of cow in Nature and in spiritual progress thought the articles uses the lens of Hinduisnm to reveal this.

The article also mentions about Parsis involved in this Yatra exercise: Did you also get the support of other saints for the Yatra?

Yes. Many Jain, Buddhist and Sikh saints have joined hands with us. All the sects, communities and sections of the society including some Muslim, Christian and Parsi leaders are in the Yatra Samiti.

There is much wisdom in "There should also be decentralisation of industries. Instead of having one factory at a cost of Rs 90 crore, there should be 90 units of rupees one crore each. This is possible. "

And also in the astute observation that "The place, which does not have cow, farmer, forest and pure air, is nothing but zahar (poison)".

I am reproducing the complete article for our readers and also sharing it with other friends who may be very much interested in this article.

Thanks once again for sharing this well-picked and insightful article.

Best wishes

Tehemton B. Adenwalla

(please see below)

Globe as a cow-centric village - Shree Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji

The objective of the Yatra is to unite people working for cow protection. Presently, there is a complete lack of concerted effort. The Yatra is a medium to bring all of them on one platform. Those who are inactive have to be inspired and prepared to join the movement. It is an initiative to put Indian villages on the path of sustainable development by focussing on cow-based way-of-life.

The place, which does not have cow, farmer, forest and pure air, is nothing but zahar. The cow and villages share a very important relationship and we have to strengthen it.

The day the rural people realise the prosperity in cow-rearing they will not even think of migration. There should also be decentralisation of industries. Instead of having one factory at a cost of Rs 90 crore, there should be 90 units of rupees one crore each. This is possible.

Head of Shree Ramchandrapura Math in Karnataka, Shree Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji is a well-known personality in the country who has successfully preserved the existing 33 breeds of Indian cow. Apart from preserving and promoting them he has also scientifically proved how cow can truly bring prosperity in the life of her herder. He is also a guiding force behind the Vishwa Mangal Gou Gram Yatra beginning from Kurukshetra on September 30. Organiser correspondent Pramod Kumar spoke to him in New Delhi to discuss the preparations of the Yatra and also his views on cow and the development of villages. Excerpts:

What are the objectives of this Yatra?There are many objectives. First, ignorance existed about cow has to be eliminated from the mind of the people. Whatever atrocities are being perpetrated on cow is due to this ignorance. People have forgotten her usefulness. There is no need to educate the people about the importance of gold. Since they do not know the importance of cow, she is being slaughtered. All it is due to ignorance. If we are able to eradicate it, there will be no need to launch any agitation for cow protection. Second objective is to unite people working for cow protection. Presently, there is a complete lack of united effort. The Yatra is a medium to bring all of them on one platform. Those who are inactive have to be inspired and prepared to join the movement. It is an initiative to put Indian villages on the path of sustainable development by focussing on cow-based way-of-life.

What is to be done for the villages?Village and cow cannot be segregated. There is no village without cow and there is no cow without village. Bharat is the soul of the world, village is the soul of Bharat, farmer is the soul of village and cow is the soul of farmer. Now this chain has broken. With the breakdown of one relation between the farmer and cow all the relations have broken. It also damaged the relation of Bharat with the rest of the world. This relation has to be restored. The relation of cow and villages is like the relation of body and soul. If there is no soul, the body is dead and if there is no cow, villages are like a dead body. The cow too cannot be protected without villages. Therefore, the uplift of villages and cow has to be done together. I normally say shahar (city) is not shahar, it is zahar (poison), as there is no cow rearing in the cities. There are slaughterhouses in cities instead of goshalas. The place, which does not have cow, farmer, forest and pure air, is nothing but zahar. The cow and villages share a very important relationship and we have to strengthen it.

There have been many agitations for cow protection even after Independence but there has been no positive result. How can this new agitation bring in positive results?If there has been no positive result in the past, it does not mean that there will be no positive outcome in the future too. We believe in making efforts. We are approaching the countrymen with a pure heart and a pure objective. We know that the policymakers do nothing until they are pressurised for doing so. It has become their habit. Now we should not look at the policymakers but to the public. If the public once stands for a change the policymakers will have no option but to do what the public wants. The demand of cow and village protection needs to come from the whole country and not just from some saints alone. Normally there are three sections in the society. One of cow-lovers, second is of those who oppose and the third is of those who remain neutral. The first and second sections are very small. But the third section is very big. Until this third section is activated the disappointing atmosphere will remain. Therefore, we have to activate and inspire this third section. Nothing will happen even if we demonstrate outside the Parliament House. This demand should come from all sections of the society.

But the tragedy is that farmers themselves sell the cows to butchers. Comment.You have reached at the roots of the problem. This is a fact that cow is slaughtered at the slaughterhouses but the process of her slaughter begins from the house of farmers. If the farmers do not sell them, there will be no problem. There are two ways to persuade the farmers. One is through developing respect in their hearts and second is promoting economic aspect. People think in terms of money. They compare what is beneficial—rearing cow or selling her. The farmers need to be educated—if one sells the cow he will earn a few hundred rupees and if he rears her he will earn lakhs of rupees. This problem will remain the same until we do not establish this scientifically. Enactment of a central legislation will also not solve the problem. It will continue illegally. Only the fact that rearing is more beneficial than selling the cow will put a complete ban on it. Therefore, there is a need to create a nationwide network of industries based on cow urine, dung and other products. It has to be developed as a profitable business. In the beginning goubhakta industrialists have to be engaged in this task.

What is being done to strengthen this economic aspect?Many efforts are being made in the form of manufacturing medicines and panchgavya products. Some farmers are conducting very good experiments on cow-based farming. I agree that there is still lack of a united effort and I hope the united effort will be strengthened during the Yatra.

People from villages are fast migrating to urban areas. Then who will protect cow in villages?Only the cow can stop this migration to urban areas. The day they realise the prosperity in cow-rearing they will not even think of migration. There should also be decentralisation of industries. Instead of having one factory at a cost of Rs 90 crore there should be 90 units at a cost of rupees one crore each. This is possible.

You are also engaged in many cow preservation activities. What are these activities?We are not alone doing it. Many people are doing outstanding work on this front. We have the only goshala in the country, which successfully preserved the existing 33 breeds of Indian cows. There are some breeds, which have only 10 to 20 cows today. It is like Bharat darshan. All cow breeds from Kanyakumari to Kashmir are available there.

What is your thinking of rural development?I dream of a completely natural village where there is no artificialness, only simple lifestyle.

The government is engaged in rural development work. How do you look at it? That is not rural development. They are basically destroying the rural culture by converting villages into cities.

The chemical fertilizers have made the soil infertile. How could this land be revived? Only cow can cure it. This poison of chemical fertilizers dominates over the cow. The day it is reversed, the picture will change. Before it we shall have to develop love and affection for the cow in the heart of the farmers. This is one of the objectives of the Yatra.

Did you also get the support of other saints for the Yatra?Yes. Many Jain, Buddhist and Sikh saints have joined hands with us. All the sects, communities and sections of the society including some Muslim, Christian and Parsi leaders are in the Yatra Samiti. Many leading saints and their organisations like Baba Ramdev, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Guruji, Mata Amritanandamayi, Dr Pranav Pandya and others are actively contributing in this task. Some scientists from outside the country have also joined hands. The foreign scientists know the importance of cow more than us. They have conducted unique experiments on cow urine, milk and panchgavya.

The overall atmosphere in the country with regard to cow protection is very disappointing. How will it change?People are disappointed because they are sitting inactive. The day they become active the picture will change. They expect that the change will surface without doing anything. They will have to come out and fight against the evils. If 50 crore of the 110 crore people come out, which government will dare to ignore them?

Did you contact the political parties also for any kind of support?Politics will benefit none. The time has come when we shall have to make efforts keeping the politics away. People should be united irrespective of their political considerations. We must keep in mind that if cow is protected nobody will die prematurely and if cow dies nobody will be safe. It is not the agitation for cow protection. It is the agitation for self-protection. If you want your coming generations to be safe, you will have to support it. It is a movement for atmaraksha, rashtra raksha and sanskriti raksha. Come and join us in this historic journey towards universal prosperity and happiness. Let the globe truly become a cow-centred village.

Do you have any action plan to implement after the Yatra?Yes, this is just the beginning. We have to do a lot of constructive work in the future. Though cow is undoubtedly divine, financial gains seem to be the measurement of success in today's materialistic world. Accepting this reality, we have to develop cow-based industries and make cow-rearing profitable. We have to educate the common man on the profit of cow-rearing. We need to convince them of social justice and the need to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. We have to take up urgently the cause of safeguarding and nurturing the existing 33 Indian breeds. In 1947 the country had about 60 breeds of cows but today we have only 33. We have to spread the message of the movement and convince the government about its importance in achieving the welfare of the nation. Nurturing the cow can begin primarily from farmer's home. Therefore, we have to educate farmer about the benefits of cow-centred life and agriculture. The immediate goal would be to make cow-rearing profitable by promoting the cow-based industrial products. We have to undertake serious researches on new possibilities of cow-based products. By and large, we have to work for creating safe heavens for cows in districts and talukas.

Mumbai: Worried about outside-the-community marriages, the BombayParsi Punchayet (BPP) has come upon a proactive solution. It plans tolaunch its own youth club and a social networking website to promote interaction among the community's youth. The initiative, says thePunchayet, will encourage youngsters to marry within the community.

BPP chairperson Dinshaw Mehta said the Punchayet will launch theZoroastrian Youth Association or ZYA (the name is yet to be finalised) "with a big bash" in November, targeting 4,000-5,000 youngsters innearly 5,000 flats across 12 Parsi colonies in Mumbai.

Though primarily meant for the 15-30 age group, the association willhave members till the age of 40.

"We want our youth to marry within the community. By forming such agroup, they can meet often and hold events. This will encourageinteraction," said Mehta.

The portal, including a social networking platform, will bring Parsi youngsters together and create a sense of belonging, he said.

"The website will be ready by October, and we have kept aside a budgetof Rs17.5 lakh for the association," he said.

The association will have an office at Gamadia Colony in Tardeo and a hall to host events in the Khareghat colony, Grant Road, Mehta said.

Membership will be free and a core group of 10-15 young minds will dothe planning, Mehta said. Another group of 50 people will be formed to organise events while staff will be hired for the administrative work,he added.

I am a Parsi Zoroastrian living in Canada. I have read your letter Dated 25th August 2008 which you have sent to Vada Dasturji (Dr) Kaikhusroo Minocher Jamasp Asa in which you claim not to have done any conversions of Non Zoroastrians.

This contention of yours is false and you have lost any credibility you may have had, as your picture appears along side the letter doing a Navjote of a Non-Zoroastrian with your co-priest in Tajikistan in 2006.

In your own letter you admit to performing the Aashirwad for a couple even if only one person is Irani/Parsi Zoroastrian. This is astonishing, are you not informed or aware that the prayers and scriptures call for both people getting married to be professing the Zoroastrian faith? And that in the Ashirwad one has to swear allegiance to the worship of Ahura Mazda and the seven Amashsaspands and surely you know that a non-Zoroastrian Spouse cannot uphold this religious view? What scriptural evidence can you provide towards supporting your actions or your point of view?

I am a mere student of our religion however I do care to read and inform myself.

For your enlightenment I am including a link below please care to read and inform yourself.

It is from the book THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES AND CUSTOMS OF THE PARSEES.

By JIVANJI JAMSHEDJI MODI, B.A., PH.D., C.I.E.,

It is indeed a shame that there are Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian Renegade Priests from within the community that contribute to the breakdown of the Zoroastrian Religion.

Now considerable data is emerging in North America where Navjotes of mixed marriage progeny have been encouraged and performed over the last 30 years, and the data points to the fact that very few of these mixed marriage children if at all practice or continue to follow the Zoroastrian religion. Even fewer marry within the community. So the total experiment is a failure.

There are also listings that show that there are 2.6 million Zoroastrians in the World.

To be a Parsi or Irani Zarthushti you have to be born of both parents being Parsi that is a biological fact.

So by any stretch of the imagination the numbers within the Parsi/Irani Zoroastrian community can only increase if Parsi/Irani Zoroastrians choose to create more progeny.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

"I must be one of the few people who has gone into the agiary pretending to be a Parsi," Rampal had said.

Hereat this culprit is actually saying he went in to an agiyari, pretending to be a Parsi!

Why is he now changing his story? - that he was only playing in the fire temple compound and was mistaken as a Parsi by the caretaker who caught hold of him and then let him go!

Is he getting out of the kitchen because he has suddenly found it too sizzling hot for his looks? From show off to suddenly shying away from the famous Parsi ire, huh?

And what may I ask is so innocent about bragging in a public press report that he had actually broken our laws with impunity? If he was deeply upset by our reactions he should have been more so at his own actions!

Book him and throw away the key! This sort of utter nonsense and disgusting desecration, has to be stopped once and for all!

Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over 'hurtful' remark

Arjun Rampal should apologise to the Parsis. This is the demand from sections of the Parsi community who are scandalised with the actor for stating in a recent interview to a men's magazine that he had visited a Parsi fire-temple or agiary. "I must be one of the few people who has gone into the agiary pretending to be a Parsi," Rampal had said.

The Zoroastrian religion does not allow non-Parsis to enter the holy premises. "Everybody in Mumbai knows that non-Parsis are not allowed to enter the fire temple," said Firoza Mistree, a researcher of Zoroastrian studies. Mistree says that the actor should apologise and identify the temple so that it can be purified.

In a letter to Rampal, Mistree states, "I am surprised that your wife, Mehr Jessia (a former Miss India), whom our community respects, has allowed you to publicly brag about your wrongdoing…Nobody is going to appreciate it."

Khojeste Mistree, co-trustee of the Parsi Panchayat and religious scholar, said, "What Rampal has done is unethical. He could have been more sensitive."

Rampal said he was deeply upset that an innocent remark by him had hurt the Parsis. "Let me bring it into context. It was when I was around eight years old and playing with my friends that I wandered into the compound (garden) of a fire temple. The caretaker mistook me for a Parsi and caught hold of me, and then let me go. I would never disrespect any community. I have always thought of the Parsis as respectable and enterprising people and would not change my opinion on this. If the actions of an eight-year-old boy have hurt the sentiments of anyone, I deeply apologise for it."

Chairman of the Parsi Punchayet Dinshaw Mehta said, "Even if he says it happened when he was eight years old, why is he boasting about it now? We want an apology."

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Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over 'hurtful' remark

Arjun Rampal should apologise to the Parsis. This is the demand from sections of the Parsi community who are scandalised with the actor for stating in a recent interview to a men's magazine that he had visited a Parsi fire-temple or agiary. "I must be one of the few people who has gone into the agiary pretending to be a Parsi," Rampal had said.

The Zoroastrian religion does not allow non-Parsis to enter the holy premises. "Everybody in Mumbai knows that non-Parsis are not allowed to enter the fire temple," said Firoza Mistree, a researcher of Zoroastrian studies. Mistree says that the actor should apologise and identify the temple so that it can be purified.

In a letter to Rampal, Mistree states, "I am surprised that your wife, Mehr Jessia (a former Miss India), whom our community respects, has allowed you to publicly brag about your wrongdoing…Nobody is going to appreciate it."

Khojeste Mistree, co-trustee of the Parsi Panchayat and religious scholar, said, "What Rampal has done is unethical. He could have been more sensitive."

Rampal said he was deeply upset that an innocent remark by him had hurt the Parsis. "Let me bring it into context. It was when I was around eight years old and playing with my friends that I wandered into the compound (garden) of a fire temple. The caretaker mistook me for a Parsi and caught hold of me, and then let me go. I would never disrespect any community. I have always thought of the Parsis as respectable and enterprising people and would not change my opinion on this. If the actions of an eight-year-old boy have hurt the sentiments of anyone, I deeply apologise for it."

Chairman of the Parsi Punchayet Dinshaw Mehta said, "Even if he says it happened when he was eight years old, why is he boasting about it now? We want an apology."

Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over 'hurtful' remark

Arjun Rampal should apologise to the Parsis. This is the demand from sections of the Parsi community who are scandalised with the actor for stating in a recent interview to a men's magazine that he had visited a Parsi fire-temple or agiary. "I must be one of the few people who has gone into the agiary pretending to be a Parsi," Rampal had said.

The Zoroastrian religion does not allow non-Parsis to enter the holy premises. "Everybody in Mumbai knows that non-Parsis are not allowed to enter the fire temple," said Firoza Mistree, a researcher of Zoroastrian studies. Mistree says that the actor should apologise and identify the temple so that it can be purified.

In a letter to Rampal, Mistree states, "I am surprised that your wife, Mehr Jessia (a former Miss India), whom our community respects, has allowed you to publicly brag about your wrongdoing…Nobody is going to appreciate it."

Khojeste Mistree, co-trustee of the Parsi Panchayat and religious scholar, said, "What Rampal has done is unethical. He could have been more sensitive."

Rampal said he was deeply upset that an innocent remark by him had hurt the Parsis. "Let me bring it into context. It was when I was around eight years old and playing with my friends that I wandered into the compound (garden) of a fire temple. The caretaker mistook me for a Parsi and caught hold of me, and then let me go. I would never disrespect any community. I have always thought of the Parsis as respectable and enterprising people and would not change my opinion on this. If the actions of an eight-year-old boy have hurt the sentiments of anyone, I deeply apologise for it."

Chairman of the Parsi Punchayet Dinshaw Mehta said, "Even if he says it happened when he was eight years old, why is he boasting about it now? We want an apology."

Parsis seek apology from Arjun Rampal over 'hurtful' remark

Arjun Rampal should apologise to the Parsis. This is the demand from sections of the Parsi community who are scandalised with the actor for stating in a recent interview to a men's magazine that he had visited a Parsi fire-temple or agiary. "I must be one of the few people who has gone into the agiary pretending to be a Parsi," Rampal had said.

The Zoroastrian religion does not allow non-Parsis to enter the holy premises. "Everybody in Mumbai knows that non-Parsis are not allowed to enter the fire temple," said Firoza Mistree, a researcher of Zoroastrian studies. Mistree says that the actor should apologise and identify the temple so that it can be purified.

In a letter to Rampal, Mistree states, "I am surprised that your wife, Mehr Jessia (a former Miss India), whom our community respects, has allowed you to publicly brag about your wrongdoing…Nobody is going to appreciate it."

Khojeste Mistree, co-trustee of the Parsi Panchayat and religious scholar, said, "What Rampal has done is unethical. He could have been more sensitive."

Rampal said he was deeply upset that an innocent remark by him had hurt the Parsis. "Let me bring it into context. It was when I was around eight years old and playing with my friends that I wandered into the compound (garden) of a fire temple. The caretaker mistook me for a Parsi and caught hold of me, and then let me go. I would never disrespect any community. I have always thought of the Parsis as respectable and enterprising people and would not change my opinion on this. If the actions of an eight-year-old boy have hurt the sentiments of anyone, I deeply apologise for it."

Chairman of the Parsi Punchayet Dinshaw Mehta said, "Even if he says it happened when he was eight years old, why is he boasting about it now? We want an apology."

Arjun Rampal and the desecration of a Parsi Fire Temple

The image you see below is from a recent issue of GQ Magazine published in India. Arjun Rampal actor/model answers some candid questions and one of his answers is a boastful "I am one of the few people who have gone into the Agyari pretending to be a Parsi".

This is really pathetic and obnoxious of Arjun Rampal. A little background. Arjun Rampal is married to Meher Jesia, ex Miss India.

Current rules state that only Parsis are allowed entry into their holy places, the Agiyaris and the Atashbehrams. And Arjun is not a Parsi. What right does he then have to break the rules of a community, just to satiate his own personal curiosity and boast about it.

Rules in religion are not always agreed upon. But as long as they exist one needs to respect them. I wonder if Arjun Rampal would dare to go to the Kaaba at Mecca, which is out of bounds to non-Muslims. No offence to Muslims, but I wish he would try that stunt and see the consequences.

Parsi fire temples are not guarded securitized places. Over the centuries there has been a certain respect/trust within the society, which respects the wishes of the Parsi community and not venture into their fire temples.

I am not a legal maven, but I wonder if a criminal case of trespass can be filed against this Arjun Rampal. He has knowingly desecrated a consecrated place, an agiary.

It also makes me wonder what sort of a person Arjun is, what moral standards he must have to take credit in publicly admitting such an act.

Discussion

comments for "Arjun Rampal and the desecration of a Parsi Fire Temple"

Extreme case of disrespect shown by Arjun Rampal. This is a person who should be a role model, instead chooses to brag about doing a wrong.Should count himself lucky that Parsis' are not a violent bunch to string him up. I am a Parsi and feel violated by this disrespectful Indian Bollywood actor.Shame on him.Needs to be taught respect for others and religion. Posted by Hushtasp Bhumgara | August 6, 2009, 7:31 pm

I am deeply saddened that an educated mature man as Arjun Rampal should boast that he broke a community's religious law and entered a Parsi Fire Temple. While he has apologized his excuse of being 8 years old and was caught for merely entering a fire temple compound makes no logical sense. Anyone can enter the compound and no one is caught for doing so. Argun Rampal must have the courage to speak the truth when he is apologizing otherwise his apology is worth nothing.

With regard to what Karan Kapoor and Zidane said about entering various places of worship they must realize that different communities have different rules and every communities rules must be respected. Would they like it if somebody desecrated a Hindu temple by carrying in meat inside. This is just not done and everyone respects and is aware of this rule.

When you blatantly violate a community's religious rule, the community has a right to protest against this religious insensitivity.

I am a young Parsi priest and I am shocked and horrified of Arjun Rampal's insensitive action. Does he think that just because he is married to a Parsi he can defy our religious rules. His excuse that he was 8 years old just does not seem truthful. He is now covering up because of the bad press that he has got. Young people should not see him as a role model because he clearly has no respect for the Parsi / Irani community and has no respect for the truth. Why doesn't he confess the name of the fire temple he entered so that we as priests can re-sanctify it.

Friday, August 7, 2009

In his interview, Arjunn proudly proclaims: "I must be one of the few peoplewho have gone into the Agiary pretending to be Parsi"!I wonder what his wife Mehr has to say to this.

I also wonder if he would try to pull a similar stunt by going to Mecca "pretending" to be a Muslim. Forget Mecca / Muslims, would Arjunn bring meat to a strict Jain house and offend their religious sentiments? Would he eat pork in the house of a Jew or a Muslim? Why does this man, who is married to a Parsi, have no respect for Parsi-Iranis?

THIS IS DISGRACEFUL INDEED. WHO DOES ARJUNN THINKHE IS TO INSULT THE ZOROASTRIAN RELIGION IN THIS WAY?

> Today's Mumbai Mirror carries on its front page an article by Manoj> Nair about the defiant stand taken by Khushru Madon saying that he> will not stop conducting rituals for mixed-marriages Parsis. Putting a> sensitive community matter on the front page of a public newspaper to> sensationalise issues is definitely not ethical journalism.

We protest against this article in the Mumbai Mirror that is hurting the religious sentiments of the Zoroastrian Parsi majority in India. Manoj Nair's jouralism is hurting the religious feelings of the Parsi community and should not be permitted by Mumbai Mirror and the Times Group.

We fully support the DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED BPP Trustees in their stand against the few priests who are going against the Holy Scriptures of our religion. The Trustees were elected by the majority of the communitywhich is traditional. Mr. Manoj Nair and the Mumbai Mirror shoud respect the feelings of the majority, this is what happens in a democracy.

This is also being posted to the Traditional ZoroastrianismBLOG which is read by thousands of Zoroastrians worldwide.

Regards,

Porus Homi Havewala.

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------> From: The Parsee Voice <theparseevoice@gmail.com>> Date: 2009/8/4> Subject: TPV Defiance-Article in Mumbai Mirror> To: The Parsee Voice <the-parsee-voice@googlegroups.com>>>>> Today's Mumbai Mirror carries on its front page an article by Manoj> Nair about the defiant stand taken by Khushru Madon saying that he> will not stop conducting rituals for mixed-marriages Parsis. Putting a> sensitive community matter on the front page of a public newspaper to> sensationalise issues is definitely not ethical journalism. There is> nothing newsworthy in this for others as it is an internal matter of> the Parsi community.>> Mr Nair seems to be happily playing into the hands of the deformist> lobby led by ARZ, who are hell bent on foisting their concocted brand> of Zoroastrianism on the community in spite of opposition from a> majority of the community.>> Community members are requested to send in their protests to Mumbai> Mirror requesting that this kind of jouralism is hurting the religious> feelings of the Parsi community and should not be permitted.>> Community members are also requested to show solidarity with the BPP> in its attempt to ban these two renegade preists, Khushru Madon and> Framroze Mirza, from performing religious ceremonies at Doongerwadi.> Doongerwadi is held in trust by the BPP on behalf of the community.> The current BPP trustees have been elected by the community and> represent the majority community's will. Hence they have the authority> to decide who functions at Doongerwadi and who does not. The BPP is on> the right path here and deserves community support on this issue.>> Regards> The Parsee Voice Team

Was this written by you to bring lime light on your self ? I doubt it. It was perhaps done from journalistic zeal. If done for the lime light and you are a Hindu, you are surely aware of the Natural, inexorable and religious Law of Karma.

If you are also a religious Hindu, then it is suggested that you perform several pujjas, to give you and your family the strength to bear the punishment that will surely be visited on you and your family, for the insult on a sister religion of India and it's religious practices, customs and traditions, for no cause or reason atall.

If a foreign journalist ,uninformed and uneducated in Indian religions and traditions had written unwittingly and with out verifying the full facts and antecedents of the case, the religious laws and duties of a Parsi priest, perhaps the Karmic blow would be light on such a person.

You Mr. Nair as a brother Indian, know full well the long history of the Parsis in India, know full well their religiosity And know full well how the Religious Roots of both our two ancient religions-Hindu and Parsi Zoroastrian, come from one Indo Aryan source perhaps over 90,000 years ago.

How could you then insult a sister community and cause such pain to your brothers and sisters in the Parsi community? Do you think that you got the information about this matter from a saintly Parsi ? There are cowards, charlatans and irreligious persons in all religious communities. We have our share. Would it not have been prudent if you had verified this matter with the Parsi Panchayat, before "rushing to judgment" and printing this matter as "news" ?

For your information only and so that you understand that this writer, although a Parsi Zoroastrian has learned the Hindu religion, Hindu arts and science of Yogh and Ayurvaid from saintly Hindu Yogis in India from the age of 15 years and still remember his Teachers. He is now 76 years.

Your name indicates that you are from South India and you may be pleased to know that this writer learned several techniques of the Kerela Ayurvaid and Yogh and was introduced to the Kalaripaith Master in that state. He was presented with the short Kalari stick for unarmed Indian combat at the Kalari center in view of his many years knowledge and practice of the Oriental Martial Arts of Combat.

This writer and many knowledgeable Parsis have the very highest respect for the Hindu religion and practices.

Would you please do our community a favor, by visiting the Parsi Panchayat office with a copy of this letter and request them to ive you the full information on this matter. Would you then as a matter of Journalistic fairness, print the Parsi community's response in this matter.

This would go a long way in bringing peace between us and lessen any Karmic effects of this matter.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Today's Mumbai Mirror carries on its front page an article by ManojNair about the defiant stand taken by Khushru Madon saying that hewill not stop conducting rituals for mixed-marriages Parsis. Putting asensitive community matter on the front page of a public newspaper tosensationalise issues is definitely not ethical journalism. There isnothing newsworthy in this for others as it is an internal matter ofthe Parsi community.

Mr Nair seems to be happily playing into the hands of the deformistlobby led by ARZ, who are hell bent on foisting their concocted brandof Zoroastrianism on the community in spite of opposition from amajority of the community.

Community members are requested to send in their protests to MumbaiMirror requesting that this kind of jouralism is hurting the religiousfeelings of the Parsi community and should not be permitted.

Community members are also requested to show solidarity with the BPPin its attempt to ban these two renegade preists, Khushru Madon andFramroze Mirza, from performing religious ceremonies at Doongerwadi.Doongerwadi is held in trust by the BPP on behalf of the community.The current BPP trustees have been elected by the community andrepresent the majority community's will. Hence they have the authorityto decide who functions at Doongerwadi and who does not. The BPP is onthe right path here and deserves community support on this issue.

I write to you in my personal capacity as a donor voter, having avested interest in the upkeep and running of the Doongerwadi land asper the time-tested customs and traditions. This is to extend mywhole-hearted support to you and your other colleagues on the BPPboard for preventing two renegade Mobeds from carrying out irreligiousactivities inside the sanctified premises of the Towers of Silence andother such places managed by the punchayat. It is my belief that avast section of our community welcomes this decision.

Nevertheless, I would like to caution the trustees not to succumb tothe pressure tactics and blackmailing by a handful of religiousrebels__however powerful they may be. Let me remind you that thetrustees have the mandate of the community and under no circumstancesshould you climb down or even negotiate/discuss this matter with thesegroup of renegades. If they threaten to go to court, let them do so.The community is behind you. After all this is the same cabal ofreformists responsible for illegally taking pictures inside theDakhmas and distributing them worldwide.

The trustees need to stand firm on this issue. Your foremost task astrustees is to preserve and protect the Doongerwadi lands as mandatedby the religion and its High Priests. Please do not let the communitydown.